The rate at which they are being used up is very much faster than the rate at which they are produced.

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What will probably happen to oil and gas in the next fifty years or so?

They will probably run out although coal should last much longer.

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What is meant by renewable?

Renewable energy resources will not run out because they can be produced as fast as they are used.

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Why are scientists investigating the environmental impact of using fossil fuels?

To find ways to reduce the environmental impact of using fossil fuels, e.g. sulfur can be removed from fuel before burning and carbon dioxide is captured and stored in oil/gas fields rather than released into the atmosphere by power stations.

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What are the advantages of using coal?

Bigger reserves than the other fossil fuels and reliable.

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What are the disadvantages of using coal?

Non-renewable, production of CO_2 greenhouse gas and SO_2 which causes acid rain.